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Reflections from Our Pastors
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Saint Vincent de Paul and the "Rivers of Life"
Yesterday, the Catholic Church celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Vincent de Paul. Saint Vincent was a French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He was renowned for his compassion, humility, and generosity. Vincent was canonized in 1737 and is venerated as a saint in both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.
In 1617, Vincent began serving poor families in Paris, bringing them food and comfort. He organized wealthy women of Paris as the Confraternities of Charity to assist with this work, collect funds for missionary projects, found hospitals, and gather relief funds to assist victims of war. This participation of women would eventually result in, with the help of Louise de Marillac, the founding of the lay-led Ladies of Charity and the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a charitable organization dedicated to
the service of the poor, was established in 1833 by French university students. The society is still present today in 153 countries.
Vincentian Spirituality is based on the very real presence of Christ in those whom we serve. Vincentians know that when they come to the aid of poor friends or neighbors, they are serving Jesus, their friend and neighbor. This is the core of Vincentian Spirituality.
The phrase “Rivers of Life” is associated with Vincentian spirituality. Saint
Vincent emphasized the importance of paying attention to the events of
one’s life and reflecting on the ways in which God is present in them. The
goal is to discern what God is communicating through these experiences.
The “Rivers of Life” questions below are a way of doing just that. Try
answering these questions weekly as a spiritual practice that may help you
to hear God’s voice with greater clarity.
Where/when was I inspired? Was it something I observed? Something that
was said to me? The presence of another person? Something I read? What
was inspired in me? What does it mean for me? What are the feelings that
accompany this experience?
Where/when was I stretched/challenged to see things differently? Did
the challenge come from another person? Something I read? A situation I
encountered? What meaning do I ascribe to this challenge? What are the
feelings that accompany this experience?
Where/when was I surprised? By myself? By someone or something else?
Was it a welcome surprise or an unsettling one? What are the feelings that
accompany this experience?
Where/when was I deeply touched/moved? By another person or buy an
event? How was I moved by the experience? What did this call forth from
me? What are the feelings that accompany this experience?
We are blessed by the many spiritual gifts of Saint Vincent de Paul shared
with God’s children.
Mother Rosean
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Vincent_de_Paul
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